Typically, the best time to book a flight is one to two months out for domestic trips. And for international flights, the best time to book is six to eight months out. However, there are many factors that can lead to an increase (or decrease) in the price of an airline ticket.

For the best balance of price and seat availability, the "Goldilocks window" for booking international flights in 2026 is generally 2 to 5 months before departure. If you are traveling during the "shoulder season" (like April or October), booking 3 months out often yields the lowest fares. However, if you are planning a trip during peak summer (June–August) or major holidays like Christmas, you should extend that window to 6 to 10 months in advance to avoid the inevitable price spikes as flights fill up. For destinations with less competition, such as parts of Asia or Africa, a longer lead time of 5 to 8 months is often required to secure a decent fare. Avoid booking more than 11 months out, as airlines often set high "placeholder" prices for their earliest inventory. Conversely, "last-minute" international deals are increasingly rare in the era of dynamic pricing and high demand; waiting until the final 4 weeks usually results in paying double the average fare. Using price tracking tools like Google Flights can help you identify when the price for your specific route has entered its "historical low" within that 2-to-5-month sweet spot.